Page 87 of Sack

He chuckled as she intended. “True.”

“Plus,” she raised her voice as she made her way to the kitchen. “I finally have you right where I want you, at my complete and total mercy.”

“Where every woman wants a man to be?” He shouted.

“Exactly.” She returned, holding out an ice pack she’d found in the freezer.

“Are you hungry? Can I make you something to eat?”

He shook his head. “If you can just grab me some Advil and help me up to bed, I’ll be set for the night.”

Ivy grabbed the bottle of pain reliever from the cupboard and water from the fridge. “I’m going to run these upstairs then come back down for you.”

Colt was struggling to stand by the time she returned.

“Here, let me help.” She took his arm and threw it over her shoulders then helped him keep balance as he hopped toward the stairs. “You can give me more of your weight. I’m stronger than I look.” They were taking the steps one hop at a time, his left hand gripping the banister, his other arm still wrapped around Ivy. “Your left leg is getting quite the workout. It’ll be stronger than your right once your ankle is healed.”

Ivy was feeling the strain once they reached the top of the stairs. Colt was an athlete who spent a lot of time making his body what it was—pure muscle—and Ivy was feeling every heavy ounce of it.

Colt sat on the edge of the bed and helped himself to the pain meds she’d set on the nightstand, swallowing them down with the water.

Ivy glanced around the room. “Do you have any extra pillows?”

“Just what’s on the bed.”

“I’ll get one from the couch.”

Colt had the boot off by the time she got back. He’d also taken off his shirt. Even after all the times she’d seen him shirtless, it was hard not to stare. His sweats were riding low, showing off the cut, V-shape lines where his obliques met his transversalis muscles, and it was hard to pull her eyes away from such beauty.

“You keep looking at me like that and my dick isn’t going to care that I’m injured.”

“Sorry.” She mentally shook herself and moved her eyes to his ankle.

There wasn’t much to see with the elastic bandage wrapped as it was, but the ankle did look swollen and the part of his foot that showed was black and blue.

Holding one of the puffy cushions from the back of the couch, she walked over and placed it on the bed. “Here, put your foot on this.” She waited for him to tuck a few pillows behind his head and shoulders before asking, “Can I get you anything else?”

“No. This is perfect, thank you.”

“Okay, then I’m going to run home and grab some stuff. I’ll try not to be too long.”

His eyes flew open. “No. Go in the morning. I don’t like you driving so late by yourself.”

She could argue, but it was an easy enough concession. Itwaslate and they were both tired and she did have a toothbrush in his bathroom. It was all she needed until morning.

“Fine, but only because you asked so nicely.” She raised a brow, pursing her lips, letting him know she was giving in but doing so reluctantly.

Colt smiled. “Thank you. I’m not in any condition to chase after you, so I appreciate it.”

Ivy pulled one of Colt’s tees from the dresser drawer and slipped into the bathroom. She heard the TV click on while she was brushing her teeth. She expected to come out and find him watching one of the gazillion sports stations he subscribed to but was surprised to see he’d turned on a sitcom. She flicked the light switch off and climbed into bed, being careful not to jiggle him when she pulled the covers.

“No game highlights?” She knew that’s all he ever watched anymore—sizing up the competition.

“I’m sure I’m headline news. The last thing I want is for you to have to see me get dogpiled over and over again on instant replay.”

“Thanks.” She appreciated that. It had been bad enough seeing it the first time.

He threw out an arm. “Come here.”

---